A striking, red-headed leading lady of the 1940s and 50s, Rhonda Fleming was dubbed the "Queen of Technicolor" because of her highly photogenic green eyes and flaming auburn hair. She was signed by David O. Selznick directly out of high school and, after appearing in bit parts, was cast in her breakthrough role (her first in color and her first musical) opposite Bing Crosby in "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" (1949). Featured mostly for her decorative good looks, Fleming graced a number of Technicolor B-epics such as "Yankee Pasha" (1954), countless Westerns ("The Eagle and the
Spotted on the street by an agent while she was a 17-year-old high school senior; signed to a contract by producer David O Selznick who changed her name to Rhonda Fleming
1943
Film debut (in bit part), "In Old Oklahoma"
1945
First film role, as a nymphomaniac in "Spellbound"
1973
Broadway debut, "The Women"
1976
Starred in the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera revival of "Kismet"
